Discover Affordable Travel Alternatives with Destination Dupes

Best friends Niki Costa, 26, and Tiffany Schiro, 27, have been traveling together since 2018 and co-founded Went There Loved That, a business offering travel guides, itineraries, and tips. Based in Los Angeles, the duo often seeks cost-effective options, including “destination dupes” – locations similar to popular destinations but cheaper and less crowded.

One of their favorite dupes is Albania. “It is a gorgeous country with some of the best beach cities we’ve been to, and is similar to Greece,” says Costa. While they wouldn’t recommend choosing one country over the other, they encourage travelers to explore Albania for a more affordable and less touristy experience.

The concept of “destination dupes” emerged on social media as an extension of “fashion dupes” – affordable alternatives to popular items. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram are filled with posts highlighting travel dupes, such as Zanzibar’s beaches and wildlife as an alternative to Bora Bora, but at half the cost. Schiro explains that prime spots can cost hundreds of dollars a day, while dupe destinations cost a fraction of the price. For example, a hotel in Mykonos might cost over $200 a night, whereas a hotel in Ksamil, Albania, cost them $40 a night.

Travellers are drawn to dupes for various reasons: to avoid overcrowding, seek authentic experiences, or find exclusive destinations. While the term may be new, the idea isn’t. Seasoned travelers often look for new experiences, and tourism boards promote regional travel to spread tourism beyond capital cities. With overtourism on the rise, more travelers are considering less crowded areas and sustainable accommodations. Andrew Nelson, author of “Here Not There: 100 Unexpected Travel Destinations,” urges travelers to think beyond popular spots for a great travel experience.

Dupe travel has always been popular among price-sensitive clients, says Sandhya Kartha, director of Mumbai-based Redchilli Holidays. She notes that corporate groups often seek European-style cities with more affordable options, like Azerbaijan. Kartha also observes that evolving travel preferences and sustainability are driving the popularity of dupe travel.

Communications consultant Lesley Williamson, based in Capbreton, France, prefers smaller destinations to capital cities for more intimate experiences. Some of her favorite swaps include Utrecht instead of Amsterdam, Gent instead of Brussels, and Manchester instead of London. While dupe destinations offer broad similarities, they shouldn’t be seen as direct replacements. Research is essential to avoid overcrowded hotspots.

“We’ll always have Paris and Yellowstone, Angkor Wat and Amalfi,” says Nelson. “People should see these places, but there are other destinations equally worthwhile.”

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